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Boy Dies After Suffering Gunshot Wound

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LIBERTY BOROUGH (KDKA) -The 4-year-old son of a local police officer died after shooting himself with his father’s gun Friday.

The incident happened in Port Vue on F Street around noon. Police said Gavin Thompson, 4, was playing with his father’s police issued weapon and accidentally shot himself in the face.

“We all have kids. I have an 8-year-old at home. Things happen. You never get used to it. If it doesn’t bother you, you don’t belong in this business anymore,” Chief Luke Riley said.

Thompson’s father is a police officer in Port Vue and Liberty Boro. Investigators called him a good cop, and a dedicated family man with five children.

However, Allegheny County Police are investigating and trying to determine the circumstances. It’s not yet known if any charges will be filed against the father for leaving what is described as an “unsecured weapon” in his home.

Allegheny County Police are interviewing family members and neighbors trying to determine exactly what happened and how the boy got to the weapon.

Officer Thompson will be taking personal time to grieve over the loss of his son.